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When finally he came up for air, she said, “And can you believe you intend to give up smuggling? For farming?”

“Can I believe it?” he teased. “Perhaps a better question is, can you believe it? You worry I’ve been too hasty about Eastwell Park, and life in Kent, and paying taxes rather than evading them as a smuggler. You fear I may return to life at sea.”

Dani swallowed. “Well, no, I—”

He kissed her again. “One thing I learned as a smuggler is to seize a good thing when I happen upon it. I’m fully committed to you,m’étoile,” another kiss, “and to Eastwell,” another kiss, “and to life in Kent.” Another kiss. “If you find me on a boat, it will only be for a pleasure cruise. Or travel. With my wife.”

Her chest swelled. “Perhaps a journey to Beckley Pond? That little beach? No boys to interrupt?”

“Like secluded beaches, do you?” he teased. “I can show you beaches, Princess. If there’s anything a smuggler knows, it’s secluded beaches.”

“And now I’m the one who cannot believe it,” she said, so happy, so hopeful. Tears filled her eyes again. “Learning that I’m a princess is so far down the line of all the things I cannot believe.”

“IfIcan believe any of this incredible good fortune,m’étoile,” he whispered, kissing her, “youcan believe it. And let us never forget that you’re not only a princess, you’remyprincess.”